Landlord notice (congé): valid grounds, correct letter

Last updated 10 May 2026AdminLanding Editorial

Reprise, vente or legitimate reason — generate a congé that states the right ground, respects the 6/3-month notice, and includes the tenant's pre-emption rights.

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The three legal grounds

A landlord's notice is only valid on one of these grounds — plus the right notice period.

To live in it (reprise)

You or a close relative will use the home as a primary residence. The notice must name the beneficiary and their relationship to you.

To sell (vente)

You intend to sell the dwelling empty. The tenant gets a right of first refusal (droit de préemption) at the stated price and terms.

Legitimate & serious reason

A serious breach by the tenant (repeated late rent, nuisance, unauthorized sublet…). The notice must state the precise, provable ground.

Notice period & timing

Six months before lease end (unfurnished) or three months (furnished). The congé must reach the tenant before the notice window opens.

Giving notice in France: the rules

Only at the lease term

A landlord cannot end a tenancy whenever they like. Under Article 15 of the 1989 Law, the congé can only take effect on the lease's end date, with six months' notice for an unfurnished lease or three months for a furnished one. Miss the timing and the lease renews automatically for a full new term.

What the notice must contain

The exact ground (reprise, vente, or legitimate and serious reason).
For reprise: the beneficiary's identity and relationship to the landlord.
For vente: the price and conditions, plus the legal pre-emption notice.
The Loi 89-462 information notice attached for reprise and vente.

Protected tenants

A tenant over 65 with resources below a set ceiling cannot be evicted by congé unless offered suitable rehousing nearby — except where the landlord is themselves over 65 or of modest means. Always verify this before sending, as a notice given to a protected tenant is void.

Dealing with a serious breach mid-lease instead? See unpaid rent and formal notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Grounds, notice period, delivery, pre-emption, and protected tenants.

On what grounds can a landlord give notice (congé)?

Only three grounds are allowed by Article 15 of the 1989 Law: to repossess the home for yourself or a close relative (reprise), to sell it empty (vente), or for a legitimate and serious reason such as a serious tenant breach. No other ground is valid, and the notice must state which one applies.

How much notice must I give?

Six months before the lease's end date for an unfurnished lease, and three months for a furnished one. The congé must be received by the tenant before that period starts — count backwards from the lease anniversary.

How must the notice be delivered?

By registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (LRAR), by bailiff act (commissaire de justice), or by hand against a dated signed receipt. The notice period only runs from the date the tenant actually receives it.

What is the tenant's right of first refusal for a sale?

For a congé pour vente, the notice doubles as a purchase offer at the stated price. The tenant has two months to accept; if they need a loan, the sale completes within four months. Only if they decline can you sell to a third party at the same or higher price.

Are some tenants protected from a congé?

Yes. A tenant over 65 with modest income cannot be given notice unless they are rehoused nearby, or unless the landlord is themselves over 65 or also of modest means. Check the protected-tenant conditions before issuing the notice.

Can I give notice in the middle of the lease?

No — a landlord's congé can only take effect at the lease's term (échéance) or renewal date, respecting the 6- or 3-month notice. Mid-lease, only a serious breach handled through the clause résolutoire or court action can end the tenancy early.

Important: AdminLanding is a technology platform, not a law firm. We do not practice law, provide legal advice, or act as lawyers (avocats), notaries (notaires), or any regulated legal professional as defined by French Law No. 71-1130 of December 31, 1971. The documents provided are general-purpose templates for convenience only — they do not constitute personalized legal advice. Congé rules carry strict formal requirements; we strongly recommend consulting a qualified professional before serving notice.

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